- FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The Air Force's next generation fighter aircraft could be calling Alaska home. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks is the leading candidate to be home to the to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane. Alaska's two U.S. senators, Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Lisa Murkowski, announced Thursday that Eielson is the preferred candidate. Eielson had previously been on a short list of five Pacific bases to house two squadrons. None of the other four sites was named as an alternative site. A final determination is expected in November 2015.